Tokoname pottery has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. Originating in the town of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, this pottery tradition has flourished due to the region's abundant red clay deposits. The history of Tokoname pottery can be traced to the 12th century when the art form was greatly influenced by Chinese ceramics, specifically, by the Yixing clay pottery tradition. Over the centuries, Tokoname pottery evolved to develop its unique style characteri...

During the Kamakura period in Japan (1185-1333), a remarkable form of Buddhist sculpture known as the votive Buddha emerged. Commonly referred to as kakebotoke (hanging Buddhas), pieces like this would have been mounted on spherical plaques made of bronze or copper and hung in a Buddhist temple or possibly even in a Shinto shrine. These small-scale sculptures were created to serve as objects of devotion and were often commissioned by wealthy individuals or temples. The Kurakama perio...

Pair of Victorian Georgian sterling silver serving trays. Made by William Ker Reid in London in 1846. Each: Serpentine and gadrooned with oval well. On shoulder engraved armorial with lion rampant and Latin motto “Vive Ut Vivas” (Live That You May Live). Sturdy with nice heft and balance. Fine examples of the enduring popularity of 18th-century design well into the reign of the young queen. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x W 13 1/4 x D 9 3/8 in. Heavy total weight: 68.8...

Pair of traditional Georgian sterling silver 4-light candelabra. Made by Asprey in London, 1992-3. Each: Four capped and curvilinear arms each terminating in single faceted socket with same wax pan and baluster pendant. Arms mounted to tall and faceted baluster finial set in girdled and knopped baluster shaft on square, stepped, and chamfered foot. A stylish step back in time by a noted maker.

Fully marked including date letters for 1992 (bases) and 1993 (arms). Excellent condition.

Dimensi...

The term “Raku” was once reserved for a style of pottery produced by a specific household in Kyoto that began over 450 years ago. Over the years, as it gained popularity, several branch kilns were established (Ōhi, Tamamizu) and a number of other lineages arose making pieces in the style of Raku, though they were not formally associated with the Raku household. Today, we see that Raku has become a world-wide phenomena and the name is no longer reserved strictly for the Raku fami...

Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be familiar with the traditional storehouses in Japan (kura) with their thick plaster walls used to store valuable items—sometimes for hundreds of years—safe from humid air, insects, and the like. On occession, after the passing of a parent or relative, these storehouses are opened up and the art pieces and valuables inside ar...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Snowy Miyajima
Date: 1936.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 7.75 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten.
Printer: Yokoi. Carver: Harada. This combination of seals indicates an early postwar edition.
Reference: TK-DH-25 in Koitsu catalogue.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back has one tape remnant at top right. Slight fading.

A simple silver bangle with niello marked Sterling. The width is a tad over 1/16"~ inner diameter 2-5/8".

Elizabeth II sterling silver tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in Birmingham in 1963. Traditional Georgian cartouche with molded curvilinear rim. Fully marked including phrase “Made in England”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/8 x W 10 1/8 x D 10 1/8 in. Weight: 22 troy ounces. #BY062

Turn-of-the-century sterling silver baby cup rich in period assumptions. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark. Upward tapering sides and scroll handle.

Acid-etched frieze depicting sailor-suited, flag-holding, all-American boy with exotic coevals in native dress relegated to background. Symbolic imagery enhanced with verse: “Little Indian, Sioux or Crow, little frosty Eskimo, little Turk or Japanese—Oh! Don’t you wish that you were me?”

Ahem.

Fully marked including maker's stamp and ...

English Modern sterling silver box. Tall and rectangular with curved corners. Cover hinged with gently curved top and double-scroll tab. Box interior cedar-lined with open leather-lined bottom. Cover interior gilt. Worn marks including maker’s stamp for Arthur & John Zimmerman, a Birmingham maker active from the 1920s to 1940s. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x W 6 1/4 x D 4 7/8 in. Gross weight: 33.7 troy ounces. #BV990

Lovely Art Nouveau sterling silver picture frame. Oval window in same surround. On front acid-etched ornament in form of fluid flower heads and tendrils between scalloped borders; sides plain. Two charming ball supports. With glass, silk lining, and burgundy velvet back and hinged easel support. For portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including stamp for IN Deitsch, a New York maker active from ca 1904 to 1915, and no. 118. Very good condition with strong definition.

Dimensions: Frame: H...

Kohiki is a traditional Japanese pottery style known for its simple and rustic aesthetic. It involves applying a white slip onto the vessel's surface, followed by a transparent glaze, creating a contrast between the white and exposed clay areas. Kohiki ware is commonly used in tea ceremonies but it can also be found in various other forms. Its humble and understated style, with organic textures and subdued colors, continues to be appreciated by collectors worldwide. Here we see a koh...

A flip calendar with a tiny woodblock print of a torii gate and a litho of The Teahouse Jiji-ga-chaya at Meguro by Hiroshige.
Date: 1934
Overall size: 5.25 x 2.5 inches.
Christmas greeting on back.
Condition: Excellent.

Midcentury Modern sterling silver porringer. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round with straight sides, flared rim, and chamfered and tapering solid handle. Frieze with birds, bunnies, and kitties dancing paw in wing. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, postwar pattern no. 25991, and phrase “Hand Chased”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 7/8 x W 6 x D 4 1/8 in. Weight: 5.5 troy ounces. #BX525

George II sterling silver salver. Made by Richard Rugg in London in 1755. Round with cast serpentine shell-and-leaf rim and 3 leaf-capped volute scroll supports. Well center has lozenge with engraved interlaced script monogram in leafing and flowering scroll support. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x D 12 in. Weight: 28.5 troy ounces. #BY099

Charles W. Bartlett
Title: Kobe
Date: 1915
Board size: 12 x 8.75 inches. Image size: 10.75 x 7.25 inches.
Medium: Watercolor on paper.
Signed "C.W.B", titled, dated, and dedicated in pencil.
Condition: Painting is laid down to board. Paper toned in places.
Note: As signed, the work was painted in 1915, the year Bartlett arrived in Japan, and was subsequently presented as a Christmas gift in 1936.

Handwoven with delicate precision, this Japanese bamboo ikebana basket showcases the beauty of traditional bamboo weaving and the elegance of classic Chinese design that much of Japanese traditional art is based on. Its sturdy construction and balanced proportions make it perfect for ikebana arrangements, merging floral artistry with cultural aesthetics.

Though little is known about this artisan, I was able to find examples of their work in several high-end Japanese g...

This beautiful painting from late Edo portrays Mount Fuji as a sublime centerpiece, overlooking a serene landscape below. A lush pine forest embraces the foot of the sacred mountain, its deep greens contrasting against the pristine snow-capped peak. A tranquil lake reflects the ethereal beauty of the surroundings, mirroring the image of Fuji and the towering pines. The composition captures the harmonious coexistence of nature's grandeur, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the ...

In the tranquil pond, a solitary turtle finds repose upon a weathered rock. With its ancient shell glistening under the gentle sunlight, it sits in serene contemplation. The stillness of the water mirrors the turtle's quiet presence, as it basks in the harmony of its surroundings. In this harmonious scene, time seems to slow, and the turtle becomes a symbol of patience and tranquility amidst the ever-changing world.

Deep in the water A serene heart resides Floating above it...

Charles W. Bartlett
Fruit Sellers, Madura, India 1923
Date: 1923
Paper size: 12 x 8.75 inches. Image size: 10.75 x 7.25 inches.
Sealed CWB and titled. Signed in pencil and dedicated "Love from the Bartletts".
Medium: Etching hand-colored with watercolor.
Condition: Toned.
Note: This example has a double image.

American Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Rectangular window in plain, flat, and narrow surround. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) and landscape (horizontal) display. Marked “Sterling / 83”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 x W 8 in. Window: H 8 3/4 x W 6 3/4 in. #BT093

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Title: Tokaido Numazu (Numazu, from the Processional Tokaido, a series on the arrival of the 14th shogun)
Date: 1863. First edition.
Size: 14.75 x 10 inches.
Publisher: Iseya Kanekichi (Isekane)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Right margin has holes and pen mark. Light soling.

Art Nouveau sterling silver coffee set. Made by William B. Kerr & Co. in New York, ca 1890. This set comprises 3 pieces: Coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Each: Lobed and globular body. Handles capped and high-looping. Coffeepot has hinged and domed cover with cast leaf finial. Applied iris flowerheads and reeded whiplash tendrils. Fully marked including maker's stamp and no. 486. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: Coffeepot: H 8 3/4 x W 7 x D 4 in. Creamer: H 3 1/2 x W 3 1/4 x D 2 1/2 in. ...

Pair of Francis I sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton. Each: Central socket on spool base to which are mounted two reeded wraparound branches, each terminating in single socket. Branches have short leaf and flower band. Branch plug set in socket mounted to baluster shaft; raised foot. Low relief ornament with leaves and fruit and flower clusters. Sockets bellied and shaft and foot fluted. Foot and bobeche rims scrolled. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pat...

George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by Ernest Wilfred Sanders & Henry Arthur Mackenzie in Birmingham in 1933. Rectangular window with curvilinear upper corners in plain and flat rectangular surround with wide lower rail. With glass, silk lining, and stained wood back and hinged easel support. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 1/2 x W 8 in. Window: H 8 7/8 x W 6 7/8 in. #BX905

Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956)
Noh Actor Shigeyama in Green Costume
Date: 1935-36.
Size: Approximately 19.5 x 13.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed "Elizabeth Keith" in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Notch in lower margin. Tape residue at left, bottom left, and top back margins.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Spring Evening
Date: Pre-1936.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 14.75 x 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Shotei seal at right.
Reference: Shotei #M-12. Watanabe #212.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has paper residue.

Large and Modern sterling silver serving tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1923. Round with well, gently tapering shoulder, and molded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20221 (first produced in 1923) and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/2 x D 15 in. Weight: 42.4 troy ounces. #BY130

Pair of Francis I sterling silver low 3-light candelabra. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. in 1952. Each: Central socket on bell-form base to which are mounted 2 split-mounted and leaf-wrapped arms, each terminating in single socket. Shaft baluster on domed foot. Applied, chased, and engraved ornament with flowers and leaves. Scrolled rims and bobeches. Converts to candlestick. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, pattern name, and no. X571. Very good condition.

Dimensio...

Pair of Francis I sterling silver low 3-light candelabra. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. in 1950. Each: Central socket on bell-form base to which are mounted 2 split-mounted and leaf-wrapped arms, each terminating in single socket. Shaft baluster on domed foot. Applied, chased, and engraved ornament with flowers and leaves. Scrolled rims and bobeches. Converts to candlestick. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, pattern name, and no. X571. Very good condition.

Dimensio...

Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Padgett & Braham Ltd in London in 1963. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and tapering tab. Interior cedar-lined and partitioned. Open leather-lined bottom. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 3/4 x W 9 1/2 x D 5 3/4 in. Heavy gross weight: 39 troy ounces. #BV987

Large and Modern sterling silver serving tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1923. Oval with deep well, wide shoulder, and molded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20182 (first produced in 1923), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 18 x D 13 in. Heavy weight: 50 troy ounces. #BY134

Large and Modern sterling silver serving tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1923. Oval with deep well, wide shoulder, and molded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20182 (first produced in 1923), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 18 x D 13 in. Heavy weight: 53 troy ounces. #BY135

Unusual American Modern 18k gold chain, ca 1980. Small yellow gold links interspersed with large tooled ovals with central wraparound band as well as thick and solid rose ovals. With clasp. Very good condition.

Length: 32 in. Weight: 21.7 dwt/33.8 g. #1232

George V sterling silver box. Made by Henry Matthews in Birmingham in 1930. Rectangular with straight sides. Corner posts on ball support. Cover flat and hinged; on top horizontal engine-turned bands bordered by plain and wraparound engine-turned bands. Sides same with plain borders. Box interior wood-lined and partitioned. Open leather-lined bottom. Fully marked. Good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x W 7 x D 3 3/4 in. Gross weight: 23 troy ounces. #BW000